Dutch architect to build "endless" house with 3D printer

Jan.15, 2013

Dutch architect Janjaap Ruijssenaars (39) from Universe Architecture in Amsterdam designed a one-piece building which will be built on a 3D printer. He hopes the so-called Landscape House can be printed out latest in year 2014.

One surface folded in an endless möbius band. Floors transform into ceilings, inside into outside. Production with innovative 3D printing techniques. Architecture of continuity with an endless array of applicability.

Ruijssenaars works together with mathematician and artist Rinus Roelofs to develop this project using 3D printing technology. The idea is to print the building in pieces and then put them together to form a complete piece. It will take one and a half year to finish the project.

(Images: Universe Architecture)

Ruijssenaars plans to print every piece in size of 6 x 9 meters using a massive 3D printer called D-Shape. Designed by Italian inventor Enrico Dini, the D-Shape is potentially capable of printing a two story building using thin layers of sand and an inorganic binder to build up its constructions. Will the result be strong enough?

Ruijssenaars says Dini has suggested to print out the form only. And this "contours" of the house will be then filled with fiber reinforced concrete to get the desired strength.

Together with a Dutch construction company, Ruijssenaars is working with Dini to realize the idea. "It will be the first 3D printed building in the world. I hope it can be opened to the public when it's finished. "says Ruijssenaars.

The landscape house is developed for joining Europan, a European competition of ideas for young spatial designers. Europan organises this competition once every two years in fifteen countries. Taken together, on average, these countries make 50 real sites available for young designers to develop a plan.

The landscape house will be a landscape in the landscape. "It was a house in Ireland," says Janjaap Ruijssenaars. "The location on the coast is so beautiful that we want the design to reflect the nature. Landscapes are endless and our question was whether we can design a home that has no beginning and no end." The architect has won worldwide fame with his design of a floating bed. Time Magazine elected the floating bed "best invention of 2006".

The possibilities that come along with a 3D printer seem incredible, though to the mass market, I don't think the practicability will be that great for at least 10 years. I think it'll simply be too space consuming for normal households.

fredrick rockson wrote at 3/17/2013 12:57:58 PM:

this is great bt i agree wit de previous comment.is this not just to test wat 3d printing can or cannot do.lets build a house that will be friendly and usable.or is it going to be a scientific laboratory. We r using our brain and doing it to our very best. Bt lets not be forgeting the creator; JEHOVAH. For those who do nt beliv in de creater we say we are intellectuals bt the truth is abundant, make effort to learn it.

WriterGuy wrote at 2/20/2013 7:07:09 PM:

So much of the interior space will be completely inaccessible, except for all the dust and debris that'll build up. Agree with other posters that this is a lousy project to prove what 3D-printed construction can or can't do.

Bobolink7 wrote at 1/22/2013 9:56:42 PM:

Usually, adding a second floor increases usable space without requiring more land area, unlike this proposed building -- definitely not city-friendly. Also, why bother with the 3D printer if you're going to use concrete? Smacks of a product promotion to me.
As for the bed, can you imagine how many times you would trip over the positioning wires while you were trying to put fresh sheets on it? How many people will the magnets support with the added weight of a mattress?

3d-er wrote at 1/22/2013 12:55:47 PM:

The Architect lacks even the most basic understanding of the potential and challenges of additive manufacturing at construction scale. This project is designed for concrete formwork, and the 3d printing angle is at best a bad marketing gimmick.

mark h wrote at 1/21/2013 12:59:25 PM:

magnetic bed good for those suffering from credit card overuse

R Cummings wrote at 1/21/2013 4:56:01 AM:

Looks as if it will need to have stairs to get off the roof. If one starts walking on the main floor and continues one will end up on the roof, but keep walking and one will be back on the main floor I guess.

shane wrote at 1/20/2013 6:29:44 PM:

cant the first building we print be at least usable? This is hamster wheel of illogical proportion.

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